Innovation and highest quality craftsmanship are the hallmarks of British horological history. Beginning in the 17th century, British master watchmakers were at the forefront, making major contributions to mechanical design, leading to better timekeeping accuracy, a tradition that continues in the 21st century.

Parkinson & Frodsham was founded at 4 Change Alley, Cornhill in 1801. They specialised in both marine and pocket chronometers. The firm soon developed an extensive export trade, chiefly in Northern Europe, in addition to supplying the Admiralty and a number of shipping companies.

The present Parkinson & Frodsham features not only a quarter repeater but what can be considered the grail in watchmaking: the Grande & Petite Sonnerie meaning that it can automatically chime the hours on every hour and hours and quarters on every quarter.

It is mind-boggling to think the present watch was made at the end of the 19th century without computers or complex tools, and the watchmakers managed to create a small 13’ (32.5mm) Grande & Petite Sonnerie.

Cased in an exquisitely engraved yellow gold hunter case, the inside cuvette is inscribed "Mizpah", a Hebrew word that means 'watchtower' and is loosely interpreted as "May God watch over you", this was a common practice to engrave this word on watches and jewellery during the Victorian era.

The movement is typically English in architecture with a gilt ¾ bridge, engraved balance cock and diamond end stone on the balance.